Electronic Apparatus Comprising Flexible Display

This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 365 (c), of an International application No. PCT/KR2024/014746, filed on Sep. 27, 2024, which is based on and claims the benefit of a Korean patent application number 10-2023-0139100, filed on Oct. 17, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office, and of a Korean patent application number 10-2023-0177687, filed on Dec. 8, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The disclosure relates to an electronic device including a flexible display in which a pattern glass is used.

An electronic device (e.g., a smartphone or a tablet) may provide visual information to a user using a display. A form factor considering portability convenience and/or ease of information provision may be applied to the electronic device. The ease of information provision may be defined by an amount of visual information that the electronic device may deliver at once through the display. For example, an electronic device having a large display area may have relatively higher ease in providing visual information compared to an electronic device having a small display area.

The electronic device is undergoing a change to a form factor that may increase portability convenience while also increasing ease of information provision. For example, the electronic device may have a form factor capable of varying a display area, such as rollable, slidable, or foldable, rather than a traditional form factor, such as a bar type.

An electronic device having a form factor capable of varying the display area (hereinafter referred to as a “flexible display device”) may include a flexible display capable of shape deformation of the display by bending or folding. As the number or frequency of deformation of the flexible display increases, stress exceeding an elastic limit of a protective layer (e.g., yield strength) may be applied, and plastic deformation may occur. In this case, distortion or transparency degradation may occur in the flexible display due to a crease or a scratch. The lifespan of the flexible display may be shortened due to repetitive deformation, and an element and line may be damaged.

The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device including a flexible display in which a pattern glass is used.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

3 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display having a folding region bendable by a predetermined angle in at least one direction, wherein a rib and a slit of a specific pattern repeatedly extend in a direction parallel to a folding axis (A) in a glass layer included in the folding region, wherein a slit length (D) corresponding to a distance between a first bridge corresponding to a start point of the slit and a second bridge corresponding to an end point of the slit is determined based on at least one of a thickness of the glass layer or a modulus of a polymer filling the slit, and wherein the first bridge and the second bridge are configured to connect a first rib and a second rib disposed in parallel on two opposite sides of the slit.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, a flexible display module including a pattern glass in which slits of a folding portion in an electronic device are configured to have buckling stability may be provided.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device in which a coating layer for protecting a side surface of a glass layer included in a display module is configured by stacking polymer layers having different moduli may be provided.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, buckling stability may be increased while lowering stress and reaction force of a pattern glass having a plurality of slits, and a peeling phenomenon of a protective layer and a glass layer due to buckling may be prevented. Further, a polymer exposed on a side surface may be protected, management of foreign objects/handling may be facilitated, and repeated bending may be enabled.

The technical objects of the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing, and other technical objects may be derived by one of ordinary skill in the art from example embodiments of the disclosure.

Effects of the disclosure are not limited to the foregoing, and other unmentioned effects would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description. In other words, unintended effects in practicing embodiments of the disclosure may also be derived by one of ordinary skill in the art from example embodiments of the disclosure.

It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include computer-executable instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphical processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, a Bluetooth™ chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display drive integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

1 FIG. is a block view illustrating an electronic device capable of performing operations described according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

1 FIG. 1 FIG. 100 190 191 191 1 191 2 191 3 192 100 Referring to, an electronic devicemay be one of various types of electronic devices, such as a laptop computer, smartphoneshaving various form factors (e.g., a bar-type smartphone-, a foldable-type smartphone-, or a slidable (or rollable) smartphone-), a tablet, a cellular phone (not shown), and other similar computing devices (not shown). The components illustrated in, and their relationships and functions do not limit implementations described or claimed in the disclosure. The electronic devicemay be referred to as a mobile device, a user device, a multifunctional device, a portable device, or a server.

100 110 120 121 122 140 150 160 170 100 100 The electronic devicemay include components including a processor, memory(e.g., the volatile memoryand/or the non-volatile memory), a display, an image sensor, a communication circuit, and/or a sensor. The above-described components are merely exemplary. For example, the electronic devicemay include other components (e.g., a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), an audio processing circuit, an antenna module, a rechargeable battery, or an input/output interface). For example, some components may be omitted from the electronic device. For example, some components may be integrated into one component.

110 110 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 110 110 100 110 140 150 The processormay be implemented as one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips and may perform various data processing. For example, the processor(or an application processor (AP)) may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) (e.g., one chip or chipset). The processormay include sub components including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a display controller, memory controller, a storage controller, a communication processor (CP), and/or a sensor interface. The sub components are merely exemplary. For example, processormay further include other sub components. For example, some sub components may be omitted from the processor. For example, some sub components may be included as separate components of the electronic deviceoutside the processor. For example, some sub components may be included in other components (e.g., the displayand the image sensor).

110 111 120 121 122 112 113 114 150 100 110 115 111 112 114 120 121 140 116 121 121 117 122 122 118 110 160 160 119 100 100 170 110 The processor(e.g., the CPUor the central processing circuit) may be configured to control sub components based on execution of instructions stored in the memory(e.g., the volatile memoryand/or the non-volatile memory). The GPU(or the graphics processing circuit) may be configured to execute parallel computations (e.g., rendering). The NPU(or neural processing circuit) may be configured to execute operations (e.g., convolution computations) for an artificial intelligence model. The ISP(or the image signal processing circuit) may be configured to process a raw image obtained through the image sensorinto a format suitable for a component in the electronic deviceor a sub component in the processor. The display controller(or the display control circuit) may be configured to process an image obtained from the CPU, the GPU, the ISP, or the memory(e.g., the volatile memory) into a format suitable for the display. The memory controller(or the memory control circuit) may be configured to control to read data from the volatile memoryand write the data to the volatile memory. The storage controller(or the storage control circuit) may be configured to read data from the non-volatile memoryand control to write the data to the non-volatile memory. The CP(communication processing circuit) may be configured to process data obtained from a sub component in the processorinto a format suitable for transmitting the data to another electronic device through the communication circuit, or to process data obtained from the other electronic device through the communication circuitinto a format suitable for processing by the sub component. The sensor interface(or a sensing data processing circuit or a sensor hub) may be configured to process data about the state of the electronic deviceand/or the state of the surroundings of the electronic device, which is obtained through the sensor, into a format suitable for a sub component in the processor.

140 100 1 FIG. 1 FIG. A display (e.g., the displayof) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may be implemented by stacking at least a plurality of layers, and this may be referred to as a “display stacked structure.” At least a plurality of members constituting the display stacked structure may be fixed by an adhesive. The adhesive may be implemented as one layer having a predetermined thickness, and such a layer may be referred to as an “adhesive layer.”

According to an example, a flexible display may have limitations in effectively responding to deformation characteristics of the flexible display because a material of an adhesive forming an adhesive layer corresponding to a region having a high frequency of deformation (hereinafter referred to as a “folding region” or a “folding portion”) and a region having a low frequency of deformation (hereinafter referred to as a “non-folding region” or a “flat portion”) is uniform.

100 According to an example, a flexible display used in an electronic devicehaving a form factor, such as slidable or foldable requires a flexible protective layer capable of being bent or folded together with a display panel. The protective layer may have a flexible characteristic, such as, e.g., transparent polyimide or ultra-thin glass.

During a bending operation of the flexible display, in case that a panel side protective member including a joint portion is used, a gap may be created between a panel side surface and the protective member by a bending operation, and external foreign objects, such as sand and dust may intrude into the panel side surface. Further, a panel side protective member including a joint portion having complex movability is assembled to a side surface of the flexible display through a separate assembly process, and thus a manufacturing process of the electronic device may be complex.

2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 1 FIG. 2 FIG.A 2 FIG.B 2 FIG.C 2 FIG.D 2 FIG.E 2 FIG.F 200 100 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 illustrate an electronic device(e.g., the electronic deviceof) having a flexible display with a housing structure of an in-folding type according to various embodiments of the disclosure. Hereinafter in the disclosure, the electronic devicemay be understood as indicating an electronic device having a flexible display. Specifically,is a front perspective view illustrating the electronic devicein an unfolded (flat or open) state,is a front view illustrating the electronic devicein the unfolded state,is a rear view illustrating the electronic devicein a folded (or closed) state,is a front perspective view illustrating the electronic devicein a partially folded state (in other words, a partially unfolded state, or an intermediate state (free stop state) between a fully folded state and a fully unfolded state),is a rear perspective view illustrating the electronic devicein the unfolded state, andis an exploded perspective view illustrating the electronic device.

2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C, andD 1 FIG. 1 FIG. 1 FIG. 200 100 210 220 240 299 140 170 240 210 220 220 210 299 210 220 Referring to, the electronic device(e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a first housing, a second housing, a hinge assembly, a display(e.g., the displayof), or a sensor module (e.g., the sensor moduleof). The hinge assemblymay be configured to connect the first housingand the second housingsuch that the second housingis rotatable about the first housing. The displaymay include a flexible display or a foldable display disposed within a space formed by a foldable housing including the first housingand the second housing. In the following description, a “flexible display” is used to indicate a display operating, or having a structure to operate, such that a screen size of the display is substantially variable.

299 210 240 220 299 211 210 221 220 242 211 242 211 242 242 299 298 a a a a The displaymay be disposed from the first housingacross the hinge assemblyto the second housing. The displaymay be divided into a first display regiondisposed in an inner space of the first housingand a second display regiondisposed in an inner space of the second housingbased on the folding axis A. The sensor module (e.g., an illuminance sensor) may be disposed below a sensor region (or light transmission region)of the first display regionin case of being viewed facing the front. A position and/or size of the sensor regionin the first display regionmay be determined by a position and/or size of the illuminance sensor disposed therebelow. For example, a size (e.g., a diameter) of the sensor regionmay be determined based on a field of view (FOV) of the illuminance sensor. As an example, the sensor regionmay be configured to have a lower pixel density and/or a lower line density than its surroundings for enhancing light transmittance. The displaymay include a protective layerincluding a transparent material and protecting a panel layer from external foreign objects and impact.

240 211 221 200 200 211 221 200 211 221 240 210 220 210 220 210 220 2 FIG.A 2 FIG.E The hinge assemblymay be implemented in an in-folding manner such that the two display regions,face each other in case that the electronic deviceis state-transitioned from the unfolded state (e.g., the state of) to the folded state (e.g., the state of). In case that the electronic deviceis in the unfolded state, the two display regions,may face substantially the same direction. As the electronic deviceis state-transitioned from the unfolded state to the folded state, the two display regions,may be rotated in a direction facing each other. The hinge assemblymay be configured such that the foldable housing,has a resistance force against rotation. The foldable housing,may be rotated in case that an external force exceeding the resistance force is applied to the foldable housing,.

200 211 221 211 221 200 211 221 200 211 221 200 2 FIG.D A state of the electronic devicemay be defined based on an angle formed between the two display regions,. In case that the angle between the two display regions,is about 180 degrees, the state of the electronic devicemay be defined as an unfolded (flat or open) state. In case that the angle between the two display regions,is between about 0 degrees and 10 degrees, the state of the electronic devicemay be defined as a folded (or closed) state. In case that the two display regions,form an angle greater than the angle in the folded state and smaller than the angle in the unfolded state (e.g., between about 10 degrees and 179 degrees), the state of the electronic devicemay be defined as an intermediate state (in other words, a partially folded or partially unfolded state) as illustrated in.

200 299 200 211 221 211 221 200 200 200 200 211 221 299 Based on the state of the electronic device, an activation region in which visual information (e.g., text, image, or icon) is to be displayed in the displaymay be determined. In case that the electronic deviceis in the intermediate state, the activation region may be determined as the first display regionor the second display region. A region having relatively less movement among the first display regionand the second display regionmay be determined as the activation region. For example, in case that a user opens another housing with a finger (e.g., thumb) of the same hand or another hand while gripping a housing of the electronic devicewith one hand, the electronic devicemay be state-transitioned from the folded state to the intermediate state. Accordingly, the electronic devicemay determine a display region of the gripped housing (i.e., a housing with relatively less movement) as the activation region. In case that the electronic deviceis in the unfolded state, an entire region (e.g., both the first display regionand the second display region) of the displaymay be determined as the activation region.

210 211 212 220 221 222 The first housingmay include, in the unfolded state, a first surface (first display region)facing a first direction (e.g., front direction) (z-axis direction) and a second surface (first rear surface)facing a second direction (e.g., rear direction) (−z-axis direction) opposite to the first direction. The second housingmay include, in the unfolded state, a third surface (second display region)facing the first direction (e.g., z-axis direction) and a fourth surface (second rear surface)facing the second direction (e.g., −z-axis direction).

200 211 221 211 221 200 212 222 212 222 The electronic devicemay operate such that, in the unfolded state, the first display regionand the second display regionboth face the first direction (e.g., z-axis direction), and in the folded state, the first display regionand the second display regionface each other. The electronic devicemay be operated such that, in the unfolded state, the first rear surfaceand the second rear surfaceboth face the second direction (−z-axis direction), and in the folded state, the first rear surfaceand the second rear surfaceface opposite directions.

210 213 200 210 214 213 212 213 213 213 213 213 213 213 213 213 213 a b a c a a b c. The first housingmay include a first side frameat least partially forming an exterior of the electronic device. The first housingmay include a first rear covercoupled to the first side frameand forming at least a portion of the first rear surface. The first side framemay include a first side surface, a second side surfaceextending from one end of the first side surface, and a third side surfaceextending from the other end of the first side surface. The first side framemay have a rectangular (e.g., square or rectangular) shape through the first side surface, the second side surface, and the third side surface

213 213 213 213 210 200 210 210 213 213 213 a b c a b c 2 FIG.B A portion of the first side framemay be formed of a conductor. For example, a portion {circle around (f)} of the first side surface, a portion {circle around (d)} of the second side surface, and/or a portion {circle around (e)} of the third side surfacemay be formed of a metallic material that is a conductor (e.g., see). The conductor may be electrically connected to a grip sensor (not illustrated) disposed in an inner space of the first housingadjacent thereto. The electronic devicemay recognize, by the grip sensor, that a dielectric (e.g., finger, palm, face) has approached (or contacted) the first housing, and a location in the first housingwhere the dielectric has contacted (e.g., the first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface).

220 223 200 220 224 223 222 223 223 223 223 223 223 223 223 223 223 a b a c a a b c. The second housingmay include a second side frameat least partially forming the exterior of the electronic device. The second housingmay include a second rear covercoupled to the second side frameand forming at least a portion of the second rear surface. The second side framemay include a fourth side surface, a fifth side surfaceextending from one end of the fourth side surface, and a sixth side surfaceextending from the other end of the fourth side surface. The second side framemay have a rectangular shape through the fourth side surface, the fifth side surface, and/or the sixth side surface

223 223 223 223 220 200 220 220 223 223 223 a b c a b c 2 FIG.B A portion of the second side framemay be formed of a conductor. For example, a portion {circle around (b)} of the fourth side surface, a portion {circle around (a)} of the fifth side surface, and a portion {circle around (c)} of the sixth side surfacemay be formed of a metallic material that is a conductor (e.g., see). The conductor may be electrically connected to a grip sensor (not illustrated) disposed in an inner space of the second housingadjacent thereto. The electronic devicemay recognize, by the grip sensor, that a dielectric has approached (or contacted) the second housing, and a location in the second housingwhere the dielectric has contacted (e.g., the fourth side surface, the fifth side surface, the sixth side surface).

210 220 213 214 223 224 The pair of housings,is not limited to the illustrated form and combination, and may be implemented by a combination and/or coupling of other shapes or components. For example, the first side framemay be formed integrally with the first rear cover. For example, the second side framemay be formed integrally with the second rear cover.

214 224 The first rear coverand the second rear covermay be formed by, e.g., at least one or a combination of at least two of coated or tinted glass, ceramic, polymer, or metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium).

200 215 210 200 225 220 215 225 The electronic devicemay include a first protective cover(e.g., first protective frame or first decorative member) coupled along an edge of the first housing. The electronic devicemay include a second protective cover(e.g., second protective frame or second decorative member) coupled along an edge of the second housing. The first protective coverand/or the second protective covermay be formed of a metal or polymer material.

200 231 299 231 200 212 231 214 231 224 231 224 The electronic devicemay include a sub display moduledisposed separately from the display. The sub display modulemay display state information of the electronic devicein the folded state by being disposed to be at least partially exposed on the first rear surface. The sub display modulemay be disposed to be visible from the outside through at least a partial region of the first rear cover. The sub display modulemay also be disposed on the second rear cover. In such a case, the sub display modulemay be disposed to be visible from the outside through at least a partial region of the second rear cover.

200 203 201 202 205 208 206 207 176 205 299 1 FIG. The electronic devicemay include at least one of an input device, a sound output device,, a camera module,, a key input device, a connector port, or a sensor module (not illustrated) (e.g., the sensor moduleof). The sensor module and/or the cameramay be disposed below the displayin case of being viewed facing the front.

200 240 200 299 211 221 2 FIG.D The electronic devicemay be operated to maintain the intermediate state through the hinge assembly(e.g., see). In such a case, the electronic devicemay control the displaysuch that different content is displayed in a display region corresponding to the first display regionand a display region corresponding to the second display region.

2 FIG.F 200 213 223 240 213 223 200 2131 213 2231 223 2131 213 213 2231 223 223 200 299 2131 2231 200 214 213 2131 200 224 223 2231 213 214 223 224 200 210 213 2131 214 200 220 223 2231 224 Referring to, the electronic devicemay include a first side frame, a second side frame, or a hinge assemblyrotatably connecting the first side frameand the second side frame. The electronic devicemay include a first support plateat least partially extending from the first side frameor a second support plateat least partially extending from the second side frame. The first support platemay be formed integrally with the first side frameor may be structurally coupled to the first side frame. Similarly, the second support platemay be formed integrally with the second side frameor may be structurally coupled to the second side frame. The electronic devicemay include a displaydisposed to be supported by the first support plateand/or the second support plate. The electronic devicemay include a first rear covercoupled to the first side frameand providing a first space between itself and the first support plate. The electronic devicemay include a second rear covercoupled to the second side frameand providing a second space between itself and the second support plate. The first side frameand the first rear covermay also be formed integrally. The second side frameand the second rear covermay be formed integrally. The electronic devicemay include a first housingprovided through the first side frame, the first support plate, and/or the first rear cover. The electronic devicemay include a second housingprovided through the second side frame, the second support plate, and/or the second rear cover.

240 210 2131 220 2231 240 210 220 210 220 Although not illustrated, the hinge assemblymay include a first arm structure coupled to the first housing(e.g., the first support plate) or a second arm structure coupled to the second housing(e.g., the second support plate). The hinge assemblymay include a detent structure physically contacting the first arm structure and the second arm structure such that the first housingand/or the second housinghas a resistance force against rotation. The foldable housing,may have a resistance force against rotation due to a contact force (e.g., a force pushing the first arm structure and the second arm structure) of the detent structure.

200 261 263 271 251 213 214 263 205 208 263 261 251 261 263 2 2 FIGS.A andC The electronic devicemay include a first board assembly(e.g., main printed circuit board), a camera assembly, a first battery, or a first bracketdisposed in the first space between the first side frameand the first rear cover. The camera assemblymay include a plurality of cameras (e.g., the camera modules,of). The camera assemblymay be electrically connected to the first board assembly. The first bracketmay provide a support structure and enhanced rigidity for supporting the first board assemblyand/or the camera assembly.

200 262 290 272 252 223 224 The electronic devicemay include a second board assembly(e.g., sub printed circuit board), an antenna(e.g., coil member), a second battery, or a second bracketdisposed in the second space between the second side frameand the second rear cover.

200 280 261 240 262 272 290 223 224 The electronic devicemay include a line member(e.g., flexible circuit (flexible printed circuit board (FPCB))) disposed to extend from the first board assemblyacross the hinge assemblyto a plurality of electronic components (e.g., the second board assembly, the second battery, or the antenna) disposed between the second side frameand the second rear cover, and providing an electrical connection.

200 241 240 241 200 241 The electronic devicemay include a hinge coversupporting the hinge assembly. The hinge covermay be exposed to the outside in case that the electronic deviceis in the folded state, and may be retracted into the first space and the second space in case that it is in the unfolded state. The hinge covermay be disposed not to be exposed to the outside in case of being retracted into the second space.

200 215 213 200 225 223 215 211 299 225 221 299 200 235 235 240 299 The electronic devicemay include a first protective covercoupled along an edge of the first side frame. The electronic devicemay include a second protective covercoupled along an edge of the second side frame. The first protective covermay be configured to protect an edge of the first display regionincluded in the display. The second protective covermay be configured to protect an edge of the second display regionincluded in the display. The electronic devicemay include a protective cap. The protective capmay be disposed in a region corresponding to the hinge assemblyto protect a bent portion at an edge of the display.

3 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 140 299 100 200 200 299 is a stacked structure diagram illustrating a display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof) according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, reference numeral ‘’ is used to indicate the electronic device, and reference numeral ‘’ is used to indicate the display.

3 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 2 FIG.A 2 FIG.A 299 200 340 360 299 299 299 200 210 220 Referring to, a displayincluded in an electronic devicemay have a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of layers are stacked. An adhesive layer,may be provided at a boundary surface of the plurality of layers. The displayto be described below is not limited to a display applied to the displaydescribed in connection to, and may be applied to various forms of displays. For example, the displayto be described below may be substantially identically applied to an electronic devicehaving various form factors operating such that one housing (e.g., the first housingof) moves relative to another housing (e.g., the second housingof). The various form factors may include a form factor operating in a rolling and/or bending manner in addition to a form factor operating in a folding manner.

299 400 450 450 400 450 450 200 400 200 450 450 400 4 FIG.A 4 FIG.A a b a b a b The displaymay include a folding portion (or folding part) (e.g., the folding regionof) and a flat portion (or non-folding portion) (e.g., the first and second flat regions,of). The folding regionand/or the flat portion,may be configured in various forms and/or numbers according to a form factor of the electronic deviceto which the flexible display is to be mounted. The folding regionmay refer to a bending region according to the electronic device. The flat portion,may refer to a flat region other than the folding region, which maintains a flat surface during bending.

299 310 320 330 340 360 350 370 299 400 450 450 299 a b The displaymay include a panel layer, a printing layer, a polymer layer, an adhesive layer,, a glass layer, or a protective layer. The layers constituting the displaymay be stacked in a Z-axis direction. The layers are not limited to the illustrated order, and a stacking order may be changed as needed. Further, some of the layers may be omitted, or other layers not illustrated may be added. Further, the layers may have a predetermined thickness. Not limited to what is illustrated, the layers may have a differential thickness corresponding to the folding regionand/or the flat portion,. In this regard, a cross-sectional view illustrating the stacked structure of the displayis described below.

340 360 370 370 4 FIG.B One of the layers may be implemented as a combination of identical or different layers. As an example, the adhesive layer,is not limited to what is illustrated, and may be disposed between layers to form a stacked structure. As an example, the protective layermay also be implemented as a combination of a coating layer (e.g., the coating layer or the film layerof).

3 FIG. 299 310 320 The configuration illustrated inis merely exemplary for convenience of description, and the displaymay include at least one additional configuration. For example, a polarizer (e.g., polarizing film) and/or a touch sensing layer may be provided between the panel layerand the printing layer. The touch sensing layer may be configured to obtain coordinate information of an external input. The touch sensing layer may be, e.g., a capacitive touch sensing member. However, without limitations thereto, may be redisposed with another type of touch sensing layer including two types of touch electrodes, such as an electromagnetic induction type.

310 350 310 310 310 The panel layermay be disposed below the glass layer. The panel layermay be a display panel, such as an organic light emitting display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, an electrowetting display panel, or a quantum dot display panel, but the type thereof is not limited. A light emitting layer of the organic light emitting display panel may include an organic light emitting material. A light emitting layer of the quantum dot display panel may include a quantum dot and a quantum rod. The panel layermay be formed to be at least partially bendable. For example, the panel layermay be formed to be at least partially deformable.

350 310 350 310 350 310 350 The glass layermay be disposed on the panel layer. The glass layermay be stacked to directly contact the panel layer. However, without limitations thereto, another type of layer, such as a polarizing layer or a touch sensing layer, although not illustrated, may be provided between the glass layerand the panel layer. The glass layermay be described as a glass member.

350 310 350 310 310 The glass layermay be provided to prevent the panel layerfrom being damaged due to external impact. The glass layermay allow light according to a screen displayed on the panel layerto be transmitted therethrough while mitigating transmission of external impact to the panel layer. Here, the external impact may be a force applied from the outside, such as pressure or stress.

350 350 350 350 350 299 350 400 450 450 350 400 450 450 400 450 450 a b a b a b. The glass layermay be including ultra-thin glass (UTG) or polyimide (PI). The glass layermay have a predetermined transmittance or transparency. The glass layermay have a predetermined thickness. As an example, the glass layermay have a thickness determined within a range of 20 μm (micrometer) to 150 μm. As an example, the glass layermay have a thickness determined within a range of 50 μm to 500 μm. However, without limitations thereto, may have a predetermined thickness corresponding to a structure of the display. The glass layermay have a differential thickness in which a thickness of the folding regionand a thickness of the flat portion,are different. A glass having the differential thickness may be referred to as a “variable thickness glass (VTG).” The glass layermay have, e.g., a thickness of the folding regionrelatively thinner than a thickness of the flat portion,. This may enhance a flexible characteristic of the folding regionwhile enhancing durability of the flat portion,

320 299 320 350 320 350 320 350 320 350 320 350 The printing layermay be disposed in at least a partial region of the display. The printing layermay be disposed, e.g., near an edge of the glass layer. The printing layermay be disposed on an upper surface (upper side) or a lower surface (lower side) of the glass layer. The printing layermay be disposed along an edge of the glass layer. The printing layermay be disposed along a border of the glass layer. The printing layermay be disposed by being impregnated or penetrated into the upper surface of the glass layer.

320 330 340 299 330 330 320 330 320 330 The printing layermay be disposed on one surface (e.g., lower surface) of the polymer layerprovided below the first adhesive layer. To this end, the displaymay further include the polymer layer. The polymer layermay be including a polymer material having a predetermined hardness. The polymer material may be, e.g., one or a composite of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In case that the printing layeris disposed on the lower surface of the polymer layer, the printing layermay be stably disposed due to a predetermined hardness of the polymer layer.

320 299 200 320 350 320 320 320 299 320 320 The printing layermay be a border of a display region viewed from the outside in case that the displayis disposed in the electronic device. The printing layermay be formed along a border portion of the glass layer, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The printing layermay form, e.g., a bezel pattern. The printing layermay be including a light-blocking material through which light is not transmitted. The printing layermay be disposed to overlap at least a partial region with the display region of the displayviewed from the outside. The printing layermay be disposed such that at least a portion thereof is visible from the outside. The printing layermay have a predetermined thickness. The printing layer may have, e.g., a width of 1 mm or less, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

340 360 340 360 340 350 330 350 320 360 350 370 The first or second adhesive layer,may include at least one of an optically clear adhesive film (OCA), an optically clear resin (OCR), a pressure sensitive adhesive film (PSA), a thermally reactive adhesive, a general adhesive, or a double-sided tape. The first or second adhesive layer,includes a light-curing adhesive material or a heat-curing adhesive material, and the material thereof is not particularly limited. The first adhesive layermay bond between the glass layerand the polymer layeror between the glass layerand the printing layer. The second adhesive layermay bond between the glass layerand the protective layer.

341 340 343 340 341 343 341 343 341 343 343 341 A first regionincluded in the first adhesive layermay be including a soft low-modulus material. A second regionincluded in the first adhesive layermay be including a hard high-modulus material. The first regionmay have a first modulus value. The second regionmay have a second modulus value. The second modulus value may be a relatively higher value than the first modulus value. Here, the first regionand/or the second regionmay be understood as a region occupied by an adhesive of a low-modulus material and/or a region occupied by an adhesive of a high-modulus material, rather than a predetermined specific space. The low-modulus material and/or the high-modulus material may be implemented by a characteristic of a monomer forming a polymer or a molecular structure constituting the material. Due to modulus characteristics of the first regionand the second region, rigidity of the second regionmay be relatively higher than that of the first region.

341 343 350 341 343 350 343 341 340 341 343 299 The first regionand/or the second regionmay correspond to at least a portion of the glass layer. The first regionand the second regionmay be disposed below the glass layer. The second regionmay be provided around the first regionto form a border of the first adhesive layer. The first regionand the second regionmay have various arrangement structures corresponding to a variable shape of the display.

341 400 299 343 320 340 320 343 343 320 The first regionmay reduce an external force (e.g., a repulsive force generated by tension and/or contraction of the folding region) generated in response to a shape of the displaybeing deformed. The second regionmay provide a region for the printing layerto be disposed on one surface of the first adhesive layer. The printing layermay be disposed below the second region. In case that the second regionhas a modulus characteristic equal to or greater than a threshold level, printing precision and/or printing quality of the printing layermay be enhanced.

370 299 370 350 350 350 370 350 The protective layermay be disposed as an uppermost layer of the display. The protective layermay be disposed above the glass layerto protect the glass layer. In case that the glass layeris damaged, the protective layermay reduce scattering of glass pieces separated from the glass layer.

370 370 370 The protective layermay be including one or more layers. The protective layermay include, e.g., a first protective layer (or coating layer) or a second protective layer (or film layer). The first protective layer and the second protective layer may be stacked. The first protective layer and the second protective layer may be stacked to constitute one protective layer, or the first protective layer and the second protective layer may be configured as separate protective layers.

299 350 299 The first protective layer may be including a material having a predetermined hardness for protection of the display, particularly the glass layer. The first protective layer may be including a material providing anti-fingerprint performance to prevent or reduce occurrence of fingerprint traces generated in response to operation of the display.

299 320 The second protective layer may be including a material having a predetermined hardness for protection of the display. The second protective layer may be including a polymer material. The polymer material may include, e.g., PET, PI, or TPU. The second protective layer may have a predetermined thickness. The printing layermay also be disposed on one surface of the second protective layer.

320 340 320 320 The printing layermay be disposed on one surface of the second protective layer. In this case, the second protective layer may be provided below the first adhesive layer. The printing layermay be disposed on a lower surface of the second protective layer. For the printing layerto be stably disposed on the lower surface of the second protective layer, the second protective layer may have a predetermined hardness.

370 350 350 370 350 360 370 350 370 350 360 370 350 The protective layermay be disposed above the glass layer. To be disposed above the glass layer, the protective layermay be coated on an upper surface of the glass layer, or may be bonded by an adhesive layer (e.g., the second adhesive layer). The protective layermay be coated on the upper portion of the glass layerto have a predetermined thickness. For the protective layerto be disposed on the upper surface of the glass layer, the second adhesive layermay be provided between the protective layerand the glass layer.

299 299 310 340 350 320 370 299 310 320 350 320 370 320 The displayis not limited to the illustrated stacked structure, and layers may be disposed in various orders. As an example, the displaymay be stacked in an order of the panel layer, the first adhesive layer, the glass layer, the printing layer, and the protective layer. As an example, the displaymay be stacked in an order of the panel layer, the printing layer, a film layer, the glass layer, and a coating layer. In this case, the printing layermay be disposed on a lower surface of a member having a predetermined hardness. To this end, the protective layeror the film layer having a predetermined hardness needs to be provided on an upper surface of the printing layer.

4 FIG.A 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 4 FIG.B 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 4 FIG.C 2 FIG.F 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 140 299 100 200 300 140 299 2 100 200 240 140 299 100 200 is a plan view illustrating a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) including a folding region in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a display protective member (e.g., the display protective memberof) included in a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof, andF) in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a hinge portion (e.g., the hinge assemblyof) for folding of a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

4 4 FIGS.A andB 400 300 410 420 420 410 200 420 420 410 a b a b Referring to, a folding regionof a display protective membermay include a first folding regionand/or a second folding region,. A first folding regionmay be provided near a center of a region where an electronic deviceis folded about a folding axis. The second folding region,may be provided near a periphery of the first folding regionabout the folding axis.

200 1 410 2 420 420 400 400 200 a b 4 FIG.B During folding of the electronic device, a radius of curvature Rof the first folding regionmay be smaller than a radius of curvature Rof the second folding region,. For example, the folding regionmay be folded along a curve that is not a circular arc (e.g., a curve extending in a length direction (y direction in), such as elliptical, parabolic, hyperbolic, or similar). In case that the folding regionis folded along the above-described curve, a thickness of the electronic devicein the folded state may be decreased.

200 400 400 400 400 300 400 410 1 420 420 410 420 420 300 a b a b To reduce the thickness of the electronic devicein the folded state, it is preferable to reduce a radius of curvature of the folding region. In case that the radius of curvature is decreased, an area of the folding regionmay be decreased. In case that the area of the folding regionis excessively decreased, a bending moment applied by folding is concentrated on a narrow portion of the folding region, and the display protective membermay be damaged. Since the folding regionincludes the first folding regionfolded with a relatively small radius of curvature Rand the second folding region,bent with a relatively large radius of curvature, a portion of the bending moment applied to the first folding regionmay be distributed to the second folding region,. In this case, a risk of damage to the display protective membermay be decreased.

420 420 410 351 353 420 420 410 351 353 400 a b a b 5 5 FIG.B orC 5 5 FIG.B orC For the second folding region,to be folded with a larger radius of curvature than the first folding region, a width of a through hole (e.g., the slitof) and/or a width of a rib (e.g., the ribof) of the second folding region,may be larger than that of the first folding region. The effect of the width of the slitand/or the ribon the radius of curvature where the folding regionis folded is as described above.

4 FIG.C 200 410 420 420 400 400 410 351 353 420 351 353 351 410 420 420 351 410 351 420 420 420 420 200 a b a b a b a b Referring to, an electronic devicemay include a first folding regionthat is in-folded and a second folding region,that is out-folded in case that the folding regionis folded. A folding shape in which a region adjacent to a center of the folding regionis in-folded and a peripheral portion is out-folded about the folding axis may be referred to as waterdrop shaped folding. The first folding regionmay have a configuration suitable for in-folding, e.g., a width of the slitand/or the ribmay be relatively small. The second folding regionmay have a configuration suitable for out-folding, e.g., a width of the slitand/or the ribmay be relatively large. Taper directions of the slitin the first folding regionand/or the second folding region,may be opposite to each other. For example, the slitof the first folding regionmay have an in-folding type taper direction. The slitof the second folding region,may have an out-folding type taper direction. During the waterdrop shaped folding, end portions of the second folding region,may be adjacent to each other or may contact each other. In this case, a thickness of the electronic devicein the folded state may be decreased.

5 FIG.A 4 4 4 FIGS.A,B, andC 4 4 4 FIGS.A,B, andC 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 5 5 FIG.B orC 3 FIG. 400 100 200 300 is a view illustrating folding region (e.g., the folding regionof) provided based on a folding axis (e.g., the folding axis A of) for a folding operation in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a side view illustrating a folding operation of a display protective member (e.g., the display protective memberof) according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

5 5 5 FIGS.A,B, andC 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 5 FIG.B 5 FIG.C 300 400 300 370 370 350 350 300 140 299 300 299 Referring to, a display protective membermay be folded in a folding regionabout a folding axis A. The display protective membermay have a structure in which a protective layer(e.g., the protective layerof) is stacked on a glass layer(e.g., the glass layerof). As an example, the display protective membermay be folded in an in-folding manner in which an upper portion is located on an inner side of a curved surface based on a direction in which a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) displays an image (see). As an example, a display protective membermay be folded in an out-folding manner in which an upper portion is located on an outer side of a curved surface based on a direction in which a flexible displaydisplays an image (see).

300 351 353 353 7 6 7 400 350 350 351 351 7 350 400 351 350 400 350 351 351 400 350 6 6 6 FIGS.A,B, andC 7 FIG.A 9 9 FIG.E orF 6 6 FIGS.A,B 7 FIG.A 3 FIG. 6 6 6 FIGS.A,B, andC 7 FIG.A 9 9 FIG.E orF 6 FIG.A 6 6 FIG.B orC 7 7 FIG.A orB 6 FIG.A 6 6 FIG.B orC For the display protective memberto be foldable, a slit(e.g., through hole) and/or a rib(e.g., the ribof,, orB, or the rib of) based on a predetermined pattern (e.g.,, andC,, orB) may be included in the folding regionof the glass layer(e.g., the glass layerof). The slitmay be a hole (e.g., a slitof,, orB) formed to penetrate the glass layerbased on a predetermined pattern (e.g., a through pattern) in the folding region. The slitmay be a groove (e.g., a recess of) recessed to a predetermined depth in the glass layerin a predetermined pattern (e.g., a non-through pattern) in the folding region. In the following description, a through hole or a recess formed in the glass layeris collectively referred to as a ‘slit.’ A predetermined pattern (e.g.,,,) that may be considered for forming the slitin the folding regionof the glass layermay be a pattern configured to have buckling stability. The buckling free pattern may be a pattern designed to increase a buckling critical external force. The buckling free pattern may have, e.g., a side low-hardness stretch polymer (e.g., transparent adhesive (optically clear resin (OCR))) protective coating structure. The predetermined pattern may be, e.g., a chevron shape. The chevron shape may be a shape in which a straight line is bent at a predetermined angle several times in a symmetric direction (e.g., up and down direction) (e.g., see,). The chevron shape may be a ‘¬’ shape or a ‘∧’ shape (hereinafter referred to as a ‘V shape’) or a shape in which ‘∧’ is repeated (hereinafter referred to as a ‘W’ shape). A pattern including the repeated V shape or the W shape may be a pattern in which a moire phenomenon does not occur within a limit of repulsive force. The moire phenomenon refers to a phenomenon in which a peculiar wave pattern appears on a display. The moire phenomenon may occur in case that a size of a repeated pattern is dense and an image sensor may not distinguish it. As an example, a pattern including the repeated V shape or the W shape in which the moire phenomenon does not occur may have an angle range determined between 0 degrees and 50 degrees.

351 353 351 353 353 351 353 351 351 370 400 299 The slitmay be provided between the ribs. In other words, the slitand the ribmay be alternately disposed. As an example, the ribmay be provided along both edge lines of the slit. In this case, the ribmay have the same pattern shape as the slit. The slitmay be filled with a material having a relatively lower modulus than the protective layer. This may enhance flexibility of the folding regioncorresponding to a folding portion of the flexible display.

300 400 351 353 1 351 300 353 2 351 300 351 351 351 351 350 299 350 400 In case that the display protective memberis folded, the folding regionmay be elastically deformed. This may deform a shape of the slit. In case that the ribis deformed by compressive stress, a width Aof the slitmay be decreased in an inner area located on an inner side based on a folded state of the display protective member. In case that the ribis deformed by tensile stress, a width Aof the slitmay be increased in an outer area located on an outer side based on the folded state of the display protective member. According to deformation of the slit, a shape of a soft polymer filling an inside of the slitmay also be changed. Due to the presence of the slitand elastic deformation of the soft polymer filling the inside of the slit, the glass layermay be folded together with the flexible display. In other words, the glass layermay have a sufficient thickness to achieve structural rigidity capable of preventing deformation due to external pressure, while having flexibility to be foldable in the folding region.

353 351 400 300 400 400 An amount of elastic deformation required for the riband/or the slitin the folding regionmay vary according to a radius of curvature in case that the display protective memberis folded. For example, in case that the radius of curvature is large, a relatively small elastic deformation may be applied to the folding region. For example, in case that the radius of curvature is small, a relatively large elastic deformation may be applied to the folding region.

400 400 400 351 300 For the folding regionto have flexibility, an elastic modulus of the soft polymer material may be 1 to 1000 kPa. In case that the elastic modulus exceeds 1000 kPa, rigidity of the soft polymer region is excessively high, and sufficient elastic deformation for the folding regionto be folded may not occur. In case that the elastic modulus is less than 1 kPa, strength of the soft polymer region is low, and the soft polymer material may be permanently deformed in case that the folding regionis folded, or the soft polymer material may be pushed out of the slit, which may damage the display protective member.

6 6 6 FIGS.A,B, andC 5 FIG.A 4 4 4 FIGS.A,B, andC 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 500 400 350 140 299 are enlarged plan views illustrating a partial region (e.g., the selection regionof) in a folding region (e.g., the folding regionof) included in a glass layer (e.g., the glass layerof) of a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

6 FIG.A 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 1 351 2 353 3 4 357 400 100 200 1 351 2 353 400 3 400 4 357 400 a a Referring to, dimensions, such as a slit width Dof the slit, a rib width Dof the rib, a slit height D_, or a bridge width Dof the bridgemay be determined for the folding regionaccording to a design of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof). As the slit width Dof the slitand the rib width Dof the ribdecrease, flexibility of the folding regionincreases and elastic repulsive force decreases. Further, as the slit height D_increases, the flexibility of the folding regionmay increase. As the bridge width Dof the bridgedecreases, the flexibility of the folding regionmay increase.

200 400 200 400 351 353 400 5 FIG.C According to an example, in case that the electronic deviceis designed such that the folding regionis folded with a high radius of curvature, in the electronic deviceof the out-folding type (e.g.,), since an amount of elastic deformation required for the folding regionis relatively low, widths of the slitand the ribof the folding regionmay be set large.

200 400 200 400 351 353 5 FIG.B According to an example, in case that the electronic deviceis designed such that the folding regionis folded with a low radius of curvature, in the electronic deviceof the in-folding type (e.g.,), since a high amount of elastic deformation is required for the folding region, widths of the slitand the ribmay be set small.

351 351 353 351 400 400 350 3 351 351 350 351 351 353 5 FIG.A a A shape of the slitmay extend in a length direction, i.e., a direction parallel to the folding axis A (x-axis direction in). The slitmay have a shape in which inner surfaces facing each other are substantially parallel. As an example, a riband a slitof a specific pattern may repeatedly extend in a direction parallel to the folding axis A in a folding regionprovided corresponding to the folding regionin the glass layer. A slit length D_corresponding to a distance between a first bridge corresponding to a start point of the slitand a second bridge corresponding to an end point of the slitmay be determined based on at least one of a thickness of the glass layeror a modulus of a polymer filling the slit. The first bridge and the second bridge may be configured to connect a first rib and a second rib disposed in parallel on two opposite sides of the slitto cross the ribsubstantially perpendicular to the folding axis A.

351 351 350 351 353 351 353 3 357 350 5 FIG.A a As an example, the slitmay have a wave shape or a chevron shape. The wave shape or the chevron shape may have a specific pattern bent with respect to a width direction of the slit, i.e., a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A on a surface of the glass layer. As an example, the specific pattern may be a V shape. The V-shaped slitor ribmay be extended by continuous repetition in a direction parallel to the folding axis A (x-axis direction in). The wave shape may have higher flexibility than a substantially straight shape. The V-shaped slitor ribmay be repeated a predetermined number of times within the slit length D_. The slit length may be determined based on at least one of a width or a number of repetitions of the V-shaped specific pattern. For example, the slit length may become 4 mm by repeating one V pattern having a width of 1 mm four times. In this case, it may be advantageous for reaction force, but visibility may be disadvantageous according to the shape. For example, the slit length may also become 4 mm by repeating one V pattern having a width of 2 mm two times. In this case, it may be advantageous for visibility according to the shape, but may be disadvantageous for reaction force. Therefore, a pattern for repetition may be selected as needed considering desired characteristics. The predetermined number of times may be two. However, a repetition pattern of two times may reduce randomness of a position of the bridge, but may enhance rigidity of the glass layer.

400 357 357 According to an example, a plurality of slits and a plurality of ribs may extend in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A in the folding region. Start points and end points of odd-numbered slits included in the plurality of slits may be disposed to coincide in a perpendicular direction, e.g., at a first position of the folding axis A. In this case, bridgescrossing the odd-numbered slits may be disposed in a line in the perpendicular direction of the folding axis A. Start points and end points of even-numbered slits included in the plurality of slits may be disposed to coincide in a perpendicular direction, e.g., at a second position of the folding axis A. In this case, bridgescrossing the even-numbered slits may be disposed in a line in the perpendicular direction of the folding axis A.

6 FIG.B 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 6 FIG.B 6 FIG.A 1 351 2 353 3 4 357 400 100 200 1 351 2 353 400 3 400 400 400 4 357 400 b b Referring to, dimensions, such as a slit width Dof the slit, a rib width Dof the rib, a slit height D_, or a bridge width Dof the bridgemay be determined for the folding regionaccording to a design of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof). As the slit width Dof the slitand the rib width Dof the ribdecrease, flexibility of the folding regionincreases and elastic repulsive force decreases. Further, as the slit height D_increases, the flexibility of the folding regionmay increase. Therefore, the folding regionof the pattern illustrated inmay ensure relatively higher flexibility than the folding regionof the pattern illustrated in. As the bridge width Dof the bridgedecreases, the flexibility of the folding regionmay increase.

351 351 350 351 353 351 353 3 5 FIG.A b The slitmay have a wave shape or a chevron shape. The wave shape or the chevron shape may have a specific pattern bent with respect to a width direction of the slit, i.e., a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A on a surface of the glass layer. As an example, the specific pattern may be a V shape. The V-shaped slitor ribmay be extended by continuous repetition in a direction parallel to the folding axis A (x-axis direction in). The V-shaped slitor ribmay be repeated a predetermined number of times within the slit length D_. The predetermined number of times may be three or more.

6 FIG.C 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 1 351 2 353 3 1 3 2 4 357 400 100 200 c c Referring to, dimensions, such as a slit width Dof the slit, a rib width Dof the rib, a first slit height D_, a second slit height D_, or a bridge width Dof the bridgemay be determined for the folding regionaccording to a design of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceofor the electronic deviceof).

400 3 1 400 3 2 3 1 3 2 c c c c Start points and end points of odd-numbered slits included in a plurality of slits extending in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A in the folding regionmay be disposed to coincide in a perpendicular direction at a first position of the folding axis. The first slit height D_may be a length between the start points and the end points of the odd-numbered slits. Start points and end points of even-numbered slits included in a plurality of slits extending in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A in the folding regionmay be disposed to coincide in a perpendicular direction at a second position of the folding axis. The second slit height D_may be a length between the start points and the end points of the odd-numbered slits. The first slit height D_and the second slit height D_may be the same.

1 351 2 353 400 3 1 3 2 400 400 400 4 357 400 c c 6 FIG.C 6 FIG.A As the slit width Dof the slitand the rib width Dof the ribdecrease, flexibility of the folding regionincreases and elastic repulsive force decreases. Further, as the first slit height D_or the second slit height D_increases, the flexibility of the folding regionmay increase. Therefore, the folding regionof the pattern illustrated inmay ensure relatively higher flexibility than the folding regionof the pattern illustrated in. As the bridge width Dof the bridgedecreases, the flexibility of the folding regionmay increase.

400 357 351 According to an example, a plurality of slits and a plurality of ribs may extend in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A in the folding region. Start points and end points of the plurality of slits may be disposed to be offset, e.g., in the perpendicular direction of the folding axis A. In other words, bridgescrossing the plurality of slitsmay be randomly shuffled on the folding axis A.

6 6 6 FIGS.A,B, andC 1 351 2 353 3 3 3 1 3 2 4 357 350 350 3 3 3 1 3 2 350 a b c c a b c c According to an example, in the patterns illustrated in, the slit width Dof the slit, the rib width Dof the rib, the slit height D_, D_, D_, or D_, or the bridge width Dof the bridgemay be determined based on a thickness of the glass layer. For example, in case that the thickness of the glass layerincreases, the slit height D_, D_, D_, or D_may become longer in proportion to the increase in the thickness of the glass layer.

6 6 6 FIGS.A,B, andC 1 351 2 353 3 3 3 1 3 2 4 357 351 351 3 3 3 1 3 2 a b c c a b c c According to an example, in the patterns illustrated in, the slit width Dof the slit, the rib width Dof the rib, the slit height D_, D_, D_, or D_, or the bridge width Dof the bridgemay be determined based on a modulus of a polymer filling the slit. For example, in case that the modulus (or elastic modulus) of the polymer filling the slitincreases, the slit height D_, D_, D_, or D_may become longer in proportion to the increase in the modulus (or elastic modulus).

6 6 6 FIGS.A,B, andC 1 351 2 353 3 3 3 1 3 2 4 357 350 351 a b c c According to an example, in the patterns illustrated in, the slit width Dof the slit, the rib width Dof the rib, the slit height D_, D_, D_, or D_, or the bridge width Dof the bridgemay be determined based on at least one of the thickness of the glass layeror the modulus of the polymer filling the slit.

6 6 6 FIGS.A,B, andC 1 351 2 353 3 3 3 1 3 2 4 357 350 351 3 3 3 1 3 2 350 351 a b c c a b c c According to an example, in the patterns illustrated in, the slit width Dof the slit, the rib width Dof the rib, the slit height D_, D_, D_, or D_, or the bridge width Dof the bridgemay be determined based on the thickness of the glass layerand the modulus of the polymer filling the slit. For example, the slit height D_, D_, D_, or D_may be determined by considering together a degree of increase in the thickness of the glass layerand a degree of increase in the modulus (or elastic modulus) of the polymer filling the slit.

350 351 The following Table 1 illustrates an example of a slit length determined based on a thickness of the glass layerand a modulus of a polymer filling the slit.

TABLE 1 Glass layer thickness Modulus of polymer filling slit Slit length  0.1 T <1 MPa 2 to 6 mm >1 MPa 2 to 8 mm 0.13 T <1 MPa 2 to 6 mm >1 MPa 2 to 10 mm 0.15 T <1 MPa 2 to 8 mm >1 MPa 4 to 10 mm  0.2 T <1 MPa 2 to 8 mm >1 MPa 4 to 12 mm

0 15 351 350 350 351 350 351 351 According to the Table 1, as an example, in case that a glass layer thickness (e.g.,.T) is fixed and, in case that a modulus of a polymer filling a slit is less than 1 megapascal (MPa) and in case that it exceeds 1 MPa, it may be identified that a slit length is determined in a range of 2 mm to 8 mm or determined in a range of 4 mm to 10 mm. As an example, in case that a modulus of a polymer filling a slit (e.g., less than 1 MPa) is fixed and, in case that a glass layer thickness is 0.1 T and in case that it is 0.13 T, it may be identified that a slit length is determined in the same range of 2 mm to 6 mm. As an example, in case that a modulus of a polymer filling a slit (e.g., exceeding 1 MPa) is fixed and, in case that a glass layer thickness is 0.1 T and in case that it is 0.15 T, it may be identified that a slit length is determined in a range of 2 mm to 8 mm or determined in a range of 4 mm to 10 mm. The shorter the length of the slit, the higher the rigidity of the glass layer. The thicker the glass layer, the longer the length of the slitneeds to be to reduce stress and reaction force acting on the glass layerduring bending. As an example, the higher the modulus of a polymer filling the slit, the longer the length of the slitmay be.

2 353 4 357 370 350 370 350 2 353 4 357 A relationship between the rib width Dof the riband the bridge width Dof the bridgemay affect peeling of the protective layeror the glass layerdue to buckling. As an example, to prevent peeling of the protective layeror the glass layer, the relationship between the rib width Dof the riband the bridge width Dof the bridgeshould satisfy the requirements of the following Equation 1 or the following Equation 2.

1 4 357 2 353 357 353 357 4 357 2 353 357 2 353 4 357 351 357 In the Equation 1 or the Equation 2, a threshold Th #may be 0.5. This is because, in case that the bridge width Dof the bridgebecomes half or less or less than half of the rib width Dof the rib, a force applied to the bridgemay become greater than torsion of the rib. This may cause breakage of the bridge, and thus the width Dof the bridgeshould not become half or less or less than half of the width Dof the rib. Therefore, to prevent breakage of the bridge, it may be preferable to design the width Dof the ribto be more than twice or at least twice the width Dof the bridge. In other words, by creating a torsion effect such that torsion generated during bending acts relatively greater on the slitthan on the bridge, an overall reaction force may be decreased.

370 350 351 357 1 351 2 353 351 357 As an example, to prevent peeling of the protective layeror the glass layer, it may be preferable to design such that a relatively greater torsion acts on the slitthan on the bridgeduring bending. The following Equation 3 or the following Equation 4 defines a relationship between the slit width Dof the slitand the rib width Dof the ribsuch that a relatively greater torsion acts on the slitthan on the bridgeduring bending.

2 1 351 2 353 357 In the Equation 3 or the Equation 4, a threshold Th #may be 1.2. This defines that, in case that the slit width Dof the slitis designed to exceed 1.2 times or be designed to be 1.2 times or more than the rib width Dof the rib, there may be a high possibility of breakage of the bridge.

400 353 351 300 3 FIG. As an example, in case of configuring a folding portion (e.g., the folding region) such that the ribhas a relatively higher strength than a polymer filling the slit, a display protective member (e.g., the display protective memberof) may have a high rigidity, which is advantageous in terms of strength and may also enhance a glass feel.

7 7 FIG.A orB 4 4 4 FIGS.A,B, andC 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E 400 140 299 2 350 2 is a structure diagram illustrating a pattern glass in a folding region (e.g., the folding regionof) of a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof, andF) included in a glass layer (e.g., the glass layerof, andF) according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

7 FIG.A 351 1 351 2 353 351 351 3 1 31 351 3 2 32 Referring to, a slitmay have a rhombus shape. The rhombus shape has an advantage of allowing a width Dof the slitto be larger than a width Dof the rib. As an example, a first layer may have a first pattern including a plurality of slitsor a plurality of recesses having the same shape (e.g., rhombus shape). The first pattern may include a first sub pattern in which a plurality of slitsare disposed at a-pitch Pin a first direction (e.g., y-axis direction parallel to the folding axis A). The first pattern may include a second sub pattern in which a plurality of slitsare disposed at a-pitch Pin a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

140 299 299 3 1 31 351 3 1 31 1 FIG. 2 FIG. According to an example, to reduce a moire phenomenon due to an effect of light between the first layer and a display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof), a plurality of red subpixels, a plurality of green subpixels, or a plurality of blue subpixels included in the displaymay be disposed to provide (or form) a pattern disposed at a pitch smaller than the-pitch Pin substantially the same direction as a direction in which the plurality of slitsincluded in the first sub pattern of the first layer are disposed at the-pitch P.

299 299 3 2 32 351 3 2 32 According to an example, to reduce a moire phenomenon due to an effect of light between the first layer and the display, a plurality of red subpixels, a plurality of green subpixels, or a plurality of blue subpixels included in the displaymay be disposed to provide (or form) a pattern disposed at a pitch smaller than the-pitch Pin substantially the same direction as a direction in which the plurality of slitsincluded in the second sub pattern of the first layer are disposed at the-pitch P.

299 351 299 2 3 4 351 1 2 3 4 According to an example, to reduce a moire phenomenon due to an effect of light between the first layer and the display, edges of the plurality of slitsmay be provided (or formed) to be substantially not parallel to arrangement directions of a plurality of subpixels included in the display, a second arrangement direction D, a third arrangement direction D, and a fourth arrangement direction D. As an example, edges of the plurality of slitsmay form a predetermined angle with the first to fourth arrangement directions D, D, D, D. The predetermined angle may have a range of, e.g., 7° to 38°.

7 FIG.B 351 353 Referring to, a slitmay have a shape that is wavy in a width direction while having a generally rhombus shape. The wave shape has an effect of preventing stress from being concentrated on a specific portion of the rib.

7 7 FIG.A orB 350 353 As illustrated in, even in case that a pattern shape changes, a hole-processed glass layermay be including a structure in which ribsare connected, i.e., a non-continuous lattice. In this case, it may be difficult to directly calculate a critical buckling load with a general Euler buckling load formula. Therefore, in case that the pattern shape changes, a critical buckling load may be calculated through computer simulation, and a structure having a high rigidity corresponding thereto may be designed.

The following Equation 5 defines an example of calculating a critical buckling load.

8 FIG.A 5 FIG.A 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E 8 FIG.B 8 FIG.A 140 299 2 is a side cross-sectional view (e.g., A-A′ of) of a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof, andF) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a cross-sectional view as seen from a cutting line (B-B′) ofaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

8 8 8 FIGS.A,B, andC 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 299 350 350 370 370 370 299 370 350 350 Referring to, a flexible displaymay include a glass layer(e.g., the glass layerof) or a protective layer(e.g., the protective layerof). The protective layermay be disposed as an uppermost layer of the flexible display. The protective layermay be disposed to surround the glass layerto protect the glass layer.

370 370 The protective layermay be a coating layer formed of a material having a predetermined modulus. The coating layer may be an outer layer of an object coated with a thin film formed of a predetermined material, such as resin. The predetermined material forming the coating layer may be, e.g., a polymer. The polymer may have a predetermined modulus. The polymer may be a compound formed of molecules in which one type or several types of constituent units are polymerized to each other by many chemical bonds. The protective layermay have a polymer coating structure.

370 370 371 373 371 373 371 373 350 370 371 373 350 370 370 350 371 373 The protective layermay be including one or more layers. The protective layermay include, e.g., a first protective layer (or coating layer)or a second protective layer (or film layer). The first protective layerand the second protective layermay have different moduli. The first protective layerand the second protective layermay be multiply stacked on the glass layerto constitute the protective layer, or the first protective layeror the second protective layermay be singly stacked on the glass layerto constitute the protective layer. A protective layerof a single stacked structure may be formed on a front surface and/or a back surface of the glass layer. The first protective layermay be a first polymer coating layer. The second protective layermay be a second polymer coating layer. A material of the first and/or the second polymer may be, e.g., one of PET, PI, or TPU.

373 350 373 350 371 350 371 350 371 373 350 350 371 350 371 373 373 371 350 350 350 According to an example, the second protective layermay be stacked on a front surface (or upper surface) of the glass layer. The stacking of the second protective layermay be made by coating the front surface of the glass layerusing a second polymer. The first protective layermay be stacked on a back surface (or lower surface) of the glass layer. The stacking of the first protective layermay be made by coating the back surface of the glass layerusing a first polymer. The first protective layerand the second protective layermay be sequentially stacked on a side surface (or border surface) of the glass layer. This may be made by primarily coating the side surface of the glass layerusing the first polymer to generate the first protective layer, and then secondarily coating the side surface of the glass layeron which the first protective layeris formed using the second polymer to generate the second protective layer. The second protective layermay protect the first protective layeron the side surface of the glass layer. The first polymer is advantageous to have a modulus value in a range of 0.001 to 1 MPa to reduce bending repulsive force, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The second polymer may have a relatively higher modulus than the first polymer. For example, the second polymer may have a modulus in a range of 1 to 100 MPa, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The second polymer having a relatively higher modulus than the first polymer may protect the side surface of the glass layeror may increase strength of the glass layer.

371 1 373 2 1 2 1 2 350 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 The first protective layermay have a first thickness gap. The second protective layermay have a second thickness gap. The first thickness gapmay be the same as or different from the second thickness gap. The first thickness gapand/or the second thickness gapmay be determined based on a degree capable of preventing OCR damage that may occur on the side surface of the glass layer. As an example, the first thickness gapand/or the second thickness gapmay be determined based on ‘G_th1<gap(or gap)<G_th2.’ Here, G_th1 is a lower limit threshold (e.g., 0.05 mm) of the first thickness gapand/or the second thickness gap, and G_th2 may be an upper limit threshold (e.g., 1 mm) of the first thickness gapand/or the second thickness gap.

370 350 370 350 9 9 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF In the description, a structure in which the protective layeris including two coating layers has been designated, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, according to a protective coating method and structure, at least one coating layer may be additionally provided. The additional coating layer may have a different modulus from the first and/or second coating layers. The additional coating layer may be formed on some or all of the front surface, back surface, or side surface of the glass layer. Examples of a stacked structure of the protective layerin which the glass layeris coated using materials (e.g., polymers) having at least two moduli is described below with reference to.

351 400 350 351 351 350 351 353 350 350 351 350 351 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C, andD 9 9 FIG.E orF The slitformed in the folding regionof the glass layermay be filled with the first polymer. In the drawings, the slitis illustrated as a through hole (e.g.,), but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the slitmay be a groove (e.g., a recess of) dug to a predetermined depth into the glass layer. The slitmay be disposed between ribs. The first polymer may be a transparent material having a refractive index similar to that of the glass layerso as to reduce occurrence of a sense of difference at a boundary portion with the glass layer. The first polymer filled in the slitof the glass layermay not only increase buckling stability in the slit, but also prevent OCR damage.

9 9 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 5 FIG.A 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 300 140 299 are cross-sectional views (e.g., A-A′ of) of a display protective member (e.g., the display protective memberof) included in a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) to which side protective coating is applied according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

9 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 300 350 400 400 351 353 a a Referring to, a display protective membermay include a glass layerhaving a folding region(e.g., the folding regionof) in which a slit (e.g., through hole) (e.g., the slitof) and a rib (e.g., the ribof) are formed in a predetermined pattern.

300 371 350 371 350 371 350 1 351 400 350 a a a a a a a a. 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The display protective membermay include a first protective layercoated by Polymer_A to surround the glass layer. For example, the first protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_A to cover an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction), a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the ty or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction), and a lower surface (e.g., a surface facing the −x direction) of the glass layer. The first protective layercovering the side surface of the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the first thickness gapof). The Polymer_A may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_A may be a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR). The Polymer_A may fill the slitformed in the folding regionof the glass layer

300 373 371 350 373 371 350 2 a a a a a a 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The display protective membermay include a second protective layercoated by Polymer_B to cover an outer surface (e.g., a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the ty or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction)) of the first protective layercoating the glass layerby the Polymer_A. The second protective layercovering the side surface of the first protective layercoating the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the second thickness gapof). The Polymer_B may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_B may be a polymer having a high hardness (e.g., high-hardness OCR).

350 371 373 a a a. According to the description, an outer surface (e.g., a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction)) of the glass layermay be doubly protected by the first protective layerand the second protective layer

9 FIG.B 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 300 350 400 400 351 353 300 371 373 350 b b b b b. Referring to, a display protective membermay include a glass layerhaving a folding region(e.g., the folding regionof) in which a slit (e.g., through hole) (e.g., the slitof) and a rib (e.g., the ribof) are formed in a predetermined pattern. The display protective membermay include a first protective layerand a second protective layercoated by Polymer_A and Polymer_B having different moduli to surround the glass layer

371 350 371 350 371 350 1 351 400 350 b b b b b b b b. 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The first protective layermay be a layer formed by coating the Polymer_A to surround a partial surface of the glass layer. For example, the first protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_A to cover a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the ty or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) and a lower surface (e.g., a surface facing the −x direction) of the glass layer. The first protective layercovering the side surface of the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the first thickness gapof). The Polymer_A may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_A may be a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR). The Polymer_A may fill the slitformed in the folding regionof the glass layer

373 350 373 350 371 350 373 371 350 2 b b b b b b b b b 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The second protective layermay be a layer formed by coating the Polymer_B to surround a partial surface of the glass layer. For example, the second protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_B to cover an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) of the glass layerand a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the first protective layercoating the glass layer. The second protective layercovering the side surface of the first protective layercoating the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the second thickness gapof). The Polymer_B may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_B may be a polymer having a high hardness (e.g., high-hardness OCR).

350 371 373 b b b. According to the description, an outer surface (e.g., a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction)) of the glass layermay be doubly protected by the first protective layerand the second protective layer

9 FIG.C 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 300 350 400 400 351 353 300 371 373 375 350 c c c c c c. Referring to, a display protective membermay include a glass layerhaving a folding region(e.g., the folding regionof) in which a slit (e.g., through hole) (e.g., the slitof) and a rib (e.g., the ribof) are formed in a predetermined pattern. The display protective membermay include a first protective layer, a second protective layer, and a third protective layercoated by Polymer_A, Polymer_B, and Polymer_C having different moduli to surround the glass layer

371 350 371 350 371 350 1 351 400 350 c c c c c c c c. 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The first protective layermay be a layer formed by coating the Polymer_A to surround a partial surface of the glass layer. For example, the first protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_A to cover an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) and a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the glass layer. The first protective layercovering the side surface of the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the first thickness gapof). The Polymer_A may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_A may be a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR). The Polymer_A may fill the slitformed in the folding regionof the glass layer

373 350 373 371 350 c c c b c 8 8 FIG.A orB The second protective layermay be a layer formed by coating the Polymer_B to surround a partial surface of the glass layer. For example, the second protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_B to cover an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) of the first protective layercoating the glass layer. The Polymer_B may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_B may be a polymer having a high hardness (e.g., high-hardness OCR).

375 350 375 350 371 350 375 371 350 2 c b c b c b c c c 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The third protective layermay be a layer formed by coating the Polymer_C to surround a partial surface of the glass layer. For example, the third protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_C to cover a lower surface (e.g., a surface facing the −x direction) of the glass layerand a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the first protective layercoating the glass layer. The third protective layercovering the side surface of the first protective layercoating the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the second thickness gapof). The Polymer_C may have a different characteristic from the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_C may be a polymer having a hardness between the hardness of the Polymer_A and the hardness of the Polymer_B (e.g., medium-hardness OCR).

350 371 373 c c c. According to the description, an outer surface (e.g., a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) and an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction)) of the glass layermay be doubly protected by the first protective layerand the second protective layer

9 FIG.D 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 300 350 400 400 351 353 300 371 375 350 d d d d d. Referring to, a display protective membermay include a glass layerhaving a folding region(e.g., the folding regionof) in which a slit (e.g., through hole) (e.g., the slitof) and a rib (e.g., the ribof) are formed in a predetermined pattern. The display protective membermay include a first protective layerand a second protective layercoated by Polymer_A and Polymer_C having different moduli to surround the glass layer

371 350 371 350 371 350 1 351 400 350 d d d d d d b d. 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The first protective layermay be a layer formed by coating the Polymer_A to surround a partial surface of the glass layer. For example, the first protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_A to cover a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the ty or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) and a lower surface (e.g., a surface facing the −x direction) of the glass layer. The first protective layercovering the side surface of the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the first thickness gapof). The Polymer_A may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_A may be a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR). The Polymer_A may fill the slitformed in the folding regionof the glass layer

375 350 375 350 371 350 375 371 350 2 d d d d d d d d d 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The second protective layermay be a layer formed by coating the Polymer_C to surround a partial surface of the glass layer. For example, the second protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_C to cover an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) of the glass layerand a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the first protective layercoating the glass layer. The second protective layercovering the side surface of the first protective layercoating the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the second thickness gapof). The Polymer_C may have a different characteristic from the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_C may be a polymer having a hardness between the hardness of the Polymer_A and the hardness of the Polymer_B (e.g., medium-hardness OCR).

350 371 375 d d d. According to the description, an outer surface (e.g., a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction)) of the glass layermay be doubly protected by the first protective layerand the second protective layer

370 400 350 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C, andD 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C, andD In addition to the structure of the protective layerillustrated indescribed above, a medium-hardness OCR may be used as the first polymer to enhance strength of the folding region. Further, the entire outer surface of the glass layermay be coated using a medium-hardness OCR that is not tacky. In this case, a side protective coating method and/or structure may be variously applicable as described with reference to.

9 FIG.E 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 300 350 400 400 350 351 353 e e e Referring to, a display protective membermay include a glass layerhaving a folding region(e.g., the folding regionof) in which a slit (e.g., a recess disposed on a front surface of the glass layer) (e.g., the slitof) and a rib (e.g., the ribof) are formed in a predetermined pattern.

300 371 350 371 350 371 350 1 8 351 400 350 e e e e e e e e. 8 FIG.B 8 FIG.A The display protective membermay include a first protective layercoated by Polymer_A to surround the glass layer. For example, the first protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_A to cover an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) and a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the glass layer. The first protective layercovering the side surface of the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the first thickness gapof). The Polymer_A may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference toor.B. For example, the Polymer_A may be a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR). The Polymer_A may fill the slitformed in the folding regionof the glass layer

300 373 371 350 373 371 350 2 e e e e e e 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The display protective membermay include a second protective layercoated by Polymer_B to cover an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) and a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the first protective layercoating the glass layerby the Polymer_A. The second protective layercovering the side surface of the first protective layercoating the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the second thickness gapof). The Polymer_B may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_B may be a polymer having a high hardness (e.g., high-hardness OCR).

350 371 373 e e e. According to the description, an outer surface (e.g., a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) and an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction)) of the glass layermay be doubly protected by the first protective layerand the second protective layer

9 FIG.F 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 300 350 400 400 350 351 353 f f f Referring to, a display protective membermay include a glass layerhaving a folding region(e.g., the folding regionof) in which a slit (e.g., a recess disposed on a back surface of the glass layer) (e.g., the slitof) and a rib (e.g., the ribof) are formed in a predetermined pattern.

300 371 350 371 350 371 350 1 351 400 350 f f f f f f f f. 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The display protective membermay include a first protective layercoated by Polymer_A to surround the glass layer. For example, the first protective layermay be a layer coated by the Polymer_A to cover a lower surface (e.g., a surface facing the −x direction) and a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the glass layer. The first protective layercovering the side surface of the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the first thickness gapof). The Polymer_A may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_A may be a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR). The Polymer_A may fill the slitformed in the folding regionof the glass layer

300 373 371 350 350 373 371 350 2 f f f f f f f 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIG.A orB The display protective membermay include a second protective layercoated by Polymer_B to cover a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the ty or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the first protective layercoating the glass layerby the Polymer_A and an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) of the glass layer. The second protective layercovering the side surface of the first protective layercoating the glass layermay have a predetermined thickness (e.g., the second thickness gapof). The Polymer_B may have the same characteristic as one of the first polymer or the second polymer described with reference to. For example, the Polymer_B may be a polymer having a high hardness (e.g., high-hardness OCR).

350 371 373 f f f. According to the description, an outer surface (e.g., a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction)) of the glass layermay be doubly protected by the first protective layerand the second protective layer

351 350 371 373 370 350 9 9 FIG.E orF 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C, andD Even in case that the slitillustrated inis configured in a recess form on a front surface or a back surface of the glass layer, the first protective layerand the second protective layerof the protective layerillustrated inmay be equally applied. A height, shape, and/or OCR modulus of the recess configured in the glass layermay be determined based on an allowable bending R and/or reaction force.

9 9 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF In the description with reference to, the low-hardness OCR, the medium-hardness OCR, and the high-hardness OCR may have modulus ranges that partially overlap each other, or are adjacent to each other, or are spaced apart from each other. The low-hardness OCR may have a relatively smaller modulus than the medium-hardness OCR and the high-hardness OCR. The medium-hardness OCR may have a relatively higher modulus than the low-hardness OCR and may have a relatively smaller modulus than the high-hardness OCR. The high-hardness OCR may have a relatively higher modulus than the low-hardness OCR and the medium-hardness OCR. As an example, a modulus range of the low-hardness OCR may be ‘0.001 to 1 MPa,’ a modulus range of the medium-hardness OCR may be ‘1 to 100 MPa,’ and a modulus range of the high-hardness OCR may be ‘100 to 10,000 MPa.’ The low-hardness OCR (or soft OCR) may have a relatively lower elastic modulus than the medium-hardness OCR and the high-hardness OCR. The medium-hardness OCR may have a relatively higher elastic modulus than the low-hardness OCR and may have a relatively lower elastic modulus than the high-hardness OCR. The high-hardness OCR may have a relatively higher elastic modulus than the low-hardness OCR and the medium-hardness OCR.

10 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 300 140 299 is a view illustrating a manufacturing process procedure of a display protective member (e.g., the display protective memberof) to be included in a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) in a display manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

10 FIG. 3 FIG. 5 FIG.B 4 FIG.A 8 8 FIG.A orB 1010 371 350 350 351 400 350 Referring to, in operation, a display manufacturing system may produce a first product in which a protective layeris configured to surround the glass layerby coating an outer surface of a glass layer (e.g., the glass layerof) using a first polymer. In this case, an inside of a plurality of slits (e.g., through holes) (e.g., the slitof) formed in a folding region (e.g., the folding regionof) of the glass layerand a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the glass layer may be coated by the first polymer. The first polymer may have the same characteristic as one of the polymers described with reference to. For example, the first polymer may be a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR). For example, the first polymer may be a polymer having a medium hardness (e.g., medium-hardness OCR). For example, the first polymer may be a polymer having a high hardness (e.g., high-hardness OCR).

1020 1001 1001 371 371 1001 1001 a b a b. 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.B 1 In operation, the display manufacturing system may produce a second product by punching,a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the first product such that a protective layer(e.g., the first protective layerof) having a predetermined thickness (e.g., the first thickness gof) remains. A laser punching method may be used for the punching,

1030 373 8 8 FIG.A orB In operation, the display manufacturing system may produce a third product in which a second protective layeris configured to surround the second product by coating an outer surface of the second product using a second polymer. As an example, a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the ty or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) and an upper surface (e.g., a surface facing the +x direction) of the second product may be coated by the second polymer. As an example, only a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the second product may be coated by the second polymer. The second polymer may have the same characteristic as one of the polymers described with reference to. The second polymer may have a different modulus from the first polymer. For example, the second polymer may be one of a polymer having a low hardness (e.g., low-hardness OCR), a polymer having a medium hardness (e.g., medium-hardness OCR), or a polymer having a high hardness (e.g., high-hardness OCR).

1040 300 1003 1003 373 373 2 1003 1003 300 a b a b 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.B 9 9 9 9 9 9 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF In operation, the display manufacturing system may produce a display protective membercorresponding to a final product by punching,a side surface (e.g., a surface facing the +y or −y direction or a surface facing the +z or −z direction) of the third product such that a second protective layer(e.g., the second protective layerof) having a predetermined thickness (e.g., the second thickness gof) remains. A laser punching method may be used for the punching,. The produced display protective membermay have various side protective coating methods and/or structures as described with reference toin addition to what is illustrated.

1040 Although not illustrated, in case of adding coating using a third polymer, the display manufacturing system may additionally perform a coating operation using the third polymer after performing operation.

11 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 2 2 2 2 2 FIGS.A,B,C,D,E, andF 140 299 is a view illustrating examples to which a side protective coating structure of a flexible display (e.g., the displayofor the displayof) may be applied according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

11 FIG. 3 FIG. 1110 300 371 373 350 360 370 1110 Referring to, a display protective member(e.g., the display protective memberof) in which a plurality of coating layers,are formed using different polymers on a side surface of a glass layerfor side protection may also be applied to a structure integrated with a protective film. As an example, an OCA layer (e.g., second adhesive layer) and/or a protective layermay be sequentially stacked on an upper surface of the display protective member.

1120 1130 1129 300 371 373 350 1123 1125 370 1120 1121 1127 1120 1130 3 FIG. According to an example, a display protective memberorwith a cover window(e.g., the display protective memberof) in which a plurality of coating layers,are formed using different polymers on a side surface of a glass layerfor side protection may also be applied to a changeable film structure. As an example, a cover window,capable of replacing a protective layeris additionally implemented near a border on an upper surface of the display protective member. An HC+AF layerormay be stacked on an upper surface of the display protective memberor.

According to an example, by performing hard coating and AF treatment on an upper surface of an upper polymer, it may be applicable to a cover window with a thick glass alone. In this case, if a BM printing layer is added to a border of the cover window, implementation by a deco-less structure may also be possible.

Various embodiments of the above-described disclosure may be utilized for a rollable electronic device in addition to a foldable electronic device from a bendable cover window. In this case, the application may be extended not only to mobile but also to a tablet or notebook personal computer (PC) requiring a thick glass.

200 299 400 200 353 351 350 400 3 351 351 350 351 351 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic devicemay include a displayhaving a folding regionbendable by a predetermined angle or more in at least one direction. In the electronic device, a riband a slitof a specific pattern may repeatedly extend in a direction parallel to a folding axis A in a glass layerincluded in the folding region. A slit length Dcorresponding to a distance between a first bridge corresponding to a start point of the slitand a second bridge corresponding to an end point of the slitmay be determined based on at least one of a thickness of the glass layeror a modulus of a polymer filling the slit. The first bridge and the second bridge may be configured to connect a first rib and a second rib disposed in parallel on two opposite sides of the slit.

3 350 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slit length Dmay be determined in proportion to the thickness of the glass layer.

3 351 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slit length Dmay be determined in proportion to the modulus of the polymer filling the slit.

3 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slit length Dmay be 2 mm or more.

3 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slit length Dmay be determined in a range of 2 mm to 12 mm.

353 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a width of the ribmay be 0.5 mm or less.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a width of the first bridge or the second bridge may be 0.5 mm or less.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the specific pattern may be one of a chevron shape or a V shape.

310 3 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the specific pattern may have a straight shape considering an light emitting diode (LED) arrangement for moire reduction corresponding to a panel layerdisposed below the glass layer and the slit length D.

3 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the number of times that the V-shaped specific pattern is continuously repeated may be determined based on the slit length D, and the predetermined number of times may be two or more.

3 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slit length Dmay be determined based on at least one of a width or a number of repetitions of the V-shaped specific pattern.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of slits and a plurality of ribs may extend in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A in the folding region.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, start points and end points of odd-numbered slits included in the plurality of slits may be disposed to coincide in a perpendicular direction at a first position of the folding axis.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, start points and end points of even-numbered slits included in the plurality of slits may be disposed to coincide in a perpendicular direction at a second position of the folding axis.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of slits and a plurality of ribs may extend in a direction perpendicular to the folding axis A in the folding region, and start points and end points of the plurality of slits may be disposed to be offset in the perpendicular direction of the folding axis A.

299 310 350 310 370 350 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a panel layerdisplaying visual information, the glass layerstacked to be positioned over a screen on which the visual information is displayed in the panel layer, and a protective layerin which a side surface of the glass layeris sequentially coated by at least two polymers having different moduli.

351 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slitmay be filled with a polymer having a relatively low modulus among the at least two polymers.

370 350 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protective layeron the side surface of the glass layermay include a first coating layer generated by a primary coating with a first polymer included in the at least two polymers, and a second coating layer generated by a secondary coating with a second polymer included in the at least two polymers, and the first polymer may have a relatively lower modulus than the second polymer.

370 350 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protective layeron the side surface of the glass layermay include a first coating layer generated by a primary coating with a first polymer included in the at least two polymers, and a second coating layer generated by a secondary coating with a second polymer included in the at least two polymers, and the first polymer may have a relatively lower elastic modulus than the second polymer.

350 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a thickness of the first coating layer or the second coating layer on the side surface of the glass layermay be determined in a range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

351 350 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the polymer filling the slitmay have substantially the same refractive index as the glass layer.

351 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slitmay be a through hole.

351 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the slitmay be a recess.

350 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the thickness of the glass layermay be included within a range of 50 μm to 500 μm.

The terms as used herein are provided merely to describe some embodiments thereof, but are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, the term ‘and/or’ should be understood as encompassing any and all possible combinations by one or more of the enumerated items. As used herein, the terms “include,” “have,” and “comprise” are used merely to designate the presence of the feature, component, part, or a combination thereof described herein, but use of the term does not exclude the likelihood of presence or adding one or more other features, components, parts, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may modify various components regardless of importance and/or order and are used to distinguish a component from another without limiting the components.

As used herein, the terms “configured to” may be interchangeably used with the terms “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of” depending on circumstances. The term “configured to” does not essentially mean “specifically designed in hardware to.” Rather, the term “configured to” may mean that a device can perform an operation together with another device or parts. For example, a ‘device configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C’ may be a dedicated device to perform the corresponding operation or may mean a general-purpose device capable of various operations including the corresponding operation.

Meanwhile, the terms “upper side”, “lower side”, and “front and rear directions” used in the disclosure are defined with respect to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

Any such software may be stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The non-transitory computer readable storage media store one or more computer programs (software modules), the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the disclosure.

Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage, such as, for example, a storage device like read only memory (ROM), whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium, such as, for example, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a computer program or computer programs including instructions that, when executed, implement various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments provide a program including code for implementing apparatus or a method of any one of the claims of this specification and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.